David Pipe thread

[Old Vic]

Monday, 03 December 2012 16:20 Written by David Pipe



What a great weekend with the yard enjoying a double courtesy of Weather Babe and Junior on Saturday.* Junior was making a triumphant seasonal return when winning the Rehearsal Chase under Conor O’Farrell at Newcastle.* The young Irishman gave our nine year old an excellent ride to make all the running on very testing ground under topweight.* I was particularly pleased with his foot perfect round of jumping as he took lengths out of his field at each fence.* I would imagine we will have to look at one of the staying handicaps at the Festival come March, while the Grand National is still a long-range possibility.

Weather Babe had earlier initiated the double for the yard by making a successful hurdling debut at Towcester.* She had shown some decent form when runner-up in three bumpers last term for Jonathan Portman but it was nice for her to make a winning start for the Pond House team here.* Always handy under Hadden Frost, she fought on bravely in the closing stages to beat favourite Valrene and can continue to improve as she gains experience.* She is owned by stable sponsors Wayne & Sarah Clifford and was homebred by Sarah who is doing very well with her breeding operation.* Indeed, Sarah enjoyed further success on Monday when another homebred, Bathwick Junior won at Plumpton.

I was very sorry to hear that Timmy Murphy had injured a couple of vertebrae in a crashing fall in the last race at Newbury on Friday.* Timmy was all set to ride The Package in the Hennessy Gold Cup but will now be sidelined for the next 4-6 weeks as he recuperates.* I wish him well and hope that he makes a speedy recovery.* Meanwhile The Package performed creditably under deputy Tom Scudamore to finish fourth in the big race behind Bobs Worth. *While not able to match his performance from the Badger Ales Chase at Wincanton last month; this was still a decent effort under an 8lbs higher mark.* The Grand National will be his main target.

I attended the sales at Newbury after the Hennessy and came away with a couple more fine prospects for the furture.* I am delighted to welcome a nice gelding by Kapgarde who is related to brilliant chaser Gloria Victis, as well as Heath Hunter, an exciting young Irish National Hunt Flat race winner from an excellent family (the dam is a full sister to top class chaser Nick Dundee and half sister to Ned Kelly). *While I am on the subject of sales, I have a good looking three year old gelding who is currently requiring an owner - Cellist should do well in juvenile hurdles. *He showed useful form on the flat over staying trips and has pleased us since arriving at Pond House - below is a video of him (left) in action on the gallops last week. *If you would like any further information you can click here, or contact me in the office on 01884 840715.

[mayo]

as well as dynaste http://www.fatjockey.com/forum/showt...ontender/page2

Pipe could have other runners in the major staying novice event, with the very lightly-raced Goulanes in the picture after scoring on his debut over regulation fences in the Towton Novices' Chase at Wetherby.

"He stays well and the great thing about him is his attitude," Pipe said.

"He's in the RSA and the four-miler, and we'll decide nearer the time. I think Roger Brookhouse (owner) is keen on the RSA."

Buddy Bolero could also go for the four-mile National Hunt Chase while Pipe did not totally rule out his fallen star Our Father, who has flopped twice since his impressive Cheltenham reappearance.

"Our Father is in the RSA, the JLT and the Pertemps. It would be best to ask him," he remarked of the frustrating individual.

Grands Crus' full-brother Gevrey Chambertin, who last took a handicap at Wincanton in laughably easy fashion, is clearly one of Pipe's other great hopes.

"He won off a mark of 130 in not a great race and the handicapper has put him up to 145. He will find it tougher but even off 145 it could be a workable mark as he is improving at a rate of knots," he said.

"He's in the Neptune and the Albert Bartlett and will be entered for the Coral Cup, my father's race and the Pertemps. We'll see what the ground and opposition is."

The trainer ruled Flying Cross out of the Champion Hurdle, but Robin Geffen's smart Flat recruit has yet to jump in public.

"I spoke to Robin and he'll either go for the Supreme or the Neptune," he said. "We haven't wanted to rush him but he is improving in his work every day. It will be a big ask but with a rating of 114 on the Flat, he deserves to take his chance."

The Liquidator may be the yard's only runner in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper with last weekend's winner Red Sherlock now wrapped up for the season, and Pipe said the gelding reminded him of their 2003 winner Liberman.

Pipe showed off a handful of other horses, with Close House heading for the Pertemps Final and Tanerko Emery for one of the other handicap hurdles.

A lower hurdles mark could mean Junior runs in the Pertemps, while Grand National fancy The Package will either try the JLT Specialty Chase or head for the Grimthorpe at Doncaster instead. Swing Bowler, who performed so well in the Betfair Hurdle, either tackles the County or the David Nicholson mares' event.

[mayo]

Nothing about the plots but http://www.fatjockey.com/news-blogs/...table-Tour-236

[Sefton]

Another from my 177 page doc

Ainsi Fideles Three-year-old gelding, Deam Well (sire) - Loyal Lescribaa (dam) Owners: Simon Munir and Isaac Souede Form: 1 Racing Post Rating: - Official rating: - He’s one we like. A big, strapping youngster by a sire who is doing well, he’s a half-brother to Paul Nicholls’ good four-year-old Sametegal and came to us after making a winning hurdling debut at Bordeaux in April for Guillaume Macaire. Jumps well and could be out at the end of the month at Aintree; if not, soon after that.

Alderluck 10g Alderbrook - Cecilia’s Charm Celia Rayner 5/P6U14- RPR 135c, OR 128 He’s now qualified for veterans’ chases, which I’m a big fan of, and is sure to be aimed in their direction at some point. Not the most natural jumper of fences and does loads of work in our loose school. Loves the mud and wants 3m-plus.

All Force Majeure 3g Dom Alco - Naiade Du Moulin Bryan Drew Unraced RPR - OR - Bought at the sales in France during the summer. The owner, Bryan Drew, started out with us last season when buying a half-share in Kings Palace he saw advertised on my website; the horse won first time out, Brian got the bug and now he has a fair few horses with me. This one is still backward but should be out in bumpers in the new year.

Amigo 6g Ballingarry - Allez Y Willsford Racing and Andrew Cohen 57/3131- RPR 133h, OR 133h, 137c Had a good first season for us. Normally does only as much as he has to but his latest win over hurdles, at Ayr’s Scottish National meeting, was achieved in snug fashion. I was pleased as the ground, officially good to soft, dried out much more than we had anticipated when declaring him. He’s already a winner twice over fences in France and will probably start off in a 3m handicap chase; we’ll then mix and match hurdling and chasing as it will help to keep him mentally occupied. Off an 8lb higher mark over hurdles he’ll have to improve, but I dAzza 3f

Great Pretender - Indecise Prof Caroline Tisdall 1 RPR 118h She’s by a sire who is doing well – responsibe for Ptit Zig and Mr Mole, two good hurdlers of Paul Nicholls – and is a half-sister to our triple bumper winner of last season, Vieux Lion Rouge. We bought her after she made a winning hurdling debut in the Listed £50,000 Prix Finot for debutant fillies at Auteuil in September. They looked to go quite quick for a French race and she made most before quickening up again in the straight. Her trainer, Francois Cottin, told me he thought she might want a bit of time, and her blood was not 100 per cent when she arrived, but she’s done nothing to put me off her and is one of the juveniles we’re looking forward to getting out, in November or December.

Balgarry 6g Ballingarry - Marie De Motreff Brocade Racing 2117/ RPR 143h, OR 144h Has been off for 18 months with leg problems; he’s pretty fragile and always will be. He doesn’t help himself by being a free-going sort with a high knee action, who hits the ground fairly hard. But he has stacks of ability, time is on his side and his latest scan was good. Doing lots of swimming at the moment and hasn’t resumed cantering yet. If we keep him in one piece he should be back in the new year and I hope the owners’ patience is rewarded as he has a real engine.

Ballynagour 7g Shantou - Simply Deep Allan Stennett 61/9P18- RPR 155c, OR 143c We needed to get him up in the ratings to ensure he got a run at Cheltenham but I didn’t expect him to win as impressively as he did at Warwick. I warned everyone his French form was a bit in and out, as he’d bled in the past, and sure enough he didn’t see his race out at the festival, having bled again. Following a nice long break he came back in a bit later than some of the others, and although he doesn’t take much getting ready, taking him back to Cheltenham for the Paddy Power Gold Cup may be too much of a rush. He could be the type to have just a couple of runs a season as he seems best fresh. Even off a 20lb higher mark than at Warwick I hope he can remain competitive.

Baltimore Rock 4g Tiger Hill - La Vita E Bella Roger Brookhouse 124- RPR 107b Roger Brookhouse has a really useful-looking bunch of horses with us for this season and this is the first of them. Roger has his own gallops and Baltimore Rock, whom he bought after winning a bumper at Bangor, isn’t back here yet, although I’m expecting him to return shortly. I took him up to Wetherby hoping he’d win but we bumped into another decent one in Daka Run, to whom we were giving 8lb. We rode him wrong at Stratford next time and shouldn’t have made the running. Looks a decent prospect for novice hurdles.

Bladoun 5g Smadoun - Blabliramic Wayne Clifford F43230- RPR 116h, OR 116h His novice hurdle campaign effectively ended last November, when he was about to win at Chepstow but took a heavy fall at the last. Although he had another five runs I don’t think he ever got over the fall. He looks more of a man right now and we’re doing plenty of schooling with him to get his confidence back, so I hope he’ll have a much better season Arab league- unable to Copy and paste

Buddy Bolero 7g Accordion - Quinnsboro Ice Malcolm Denmark 421/114- RPR 148c, OR 141c Has already done well over fences and I hope he’ll do even better. The form of his debut win at Exeter worked out really well and although 2m3½f wouldn’t have been his trip it gave him valuable experience of jumping at speed. After winning very easily at Leicester we opted for the four-miler over the RSA at the festival, and if they’d had a bit further to go he might have snatched third. He’s strengthened up over the summer and will have entries in the big staying handicaps, notably the one at the Paddy Power meeting, the Hennessy and the Welsh National. One day, further down the line, he might be a National horse.

Bois Des Aigles 4g Stormy River - Silver Fun Prof Caroline Tisdall 9536- RPR 92h, OR 105h Very backward last season but is now looking more professional in his attitude and his jumping. I’m expecting improvement when he is stepped up in trip and I’ll be disappointed if he can’t win.

[Sefton]

Bostons Angel 9g Winged Love - Lady Boston E Scouller 22643-P- RPR 155c, OR 142c Has been sent here to see if a change of scenery can sweeten him up. I have to say he hasn’t so far been setting the world alight on the gallops. We might take him for a racecourse gallop somewhere before forming a plan.

Broadway Buffalo 5g Broadway Flyer - Benbradagh Vard The Broadway Partnership 111110- RPR 150h, OR 140h Not the most natural jumper to start with, so I deliberately kept him low key. We bypassed the festival and went to Aintree, where he was hard for the handicapper to assess as he’d gone there after winning small races very easily. He was always going to be one to improve with another summer on his back. Tom Scu schooled him the other morning and reported it was the best he’d jumped. We’ll start him in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow and see how far he can progress up the hurdling ladder before we think about fences.

Bygones Sovereign 7g Old Vic - Miss Hollygrove Arnie and Alan Kaplan 631F-56 RPR 122h, OR 117h Not straightforward and a bit quirky, but in decent order at present. Wasn’t disgraced at Cheltenham on Saturday and we might take him to one of the smaller tracks next time. When winning at Exeter in April he got a good ride from Tom Bellamy, who I hope we’ll see back from injury very shortly.

Centasia 6m Presenting - Cent Prime Roger Brookhouse 1154- RPR 118b Was already a big mare last season but has filled out a lot over the summer. Her last two runs were both in Listed bumpers; when fourth at Aintree she got further back than planned and can be rated a bit better than that. Has looked agile when schooled and there are some great opportunities for mares nowadays.

Chic Theatre 3g King’s Theatre - La Reine Chic Bryan Drew Unraced RPR - Unusually, he’s a grey by King’s Theatre – I don’t know too many of those. Bryan Drew bought him at the sales in France over the summer; he was very keen on him and determined to buy him. Should be running in bumpers in the new year Close House - unable to Copy and paste

Consigliere 10g Trempolino - Gianna Nannini E Scouller 9/00218- RPR 152c, OR 145c He wages a constant battle with the handicapper; he’s his own worst enemy as he rarely runs a bad race and so never gets dropped much in the ratings. But he usually manages to pop up somewhere and did so last season at Ayr. The owner kindly lets the conditionals and amateurs take a few pounds off his back, and if we can place him to win just one veterans’ chase he will have paid for himself. He’s in his usual form at home, pulling everyone’s arms out in the mornings. The ground can’t be soft enough for him.

Dan Breen 8g Mull Of Kintyre - Kunuz Stuart and Simon Mercer P33307- RPR 152c, 139h, OR 145c, 137h Hasn’t won since April 2011, which shows he’s another in the grip of the handicapper over fences. He was better treated over hurdles and ran some good races, picking up plenty of place money. Francis Hayes struck up a good rapport with him, but he has gone back to Ireland, so we are looking for someone else who can claim 10lb off him. If the handicapper would relent just a few pounds I’m sure there’s a decent 2m chase to be won with him somewhere.

Dell’ Arca 4g Sholokhov - Daisy Belle Prof Caroline Tisdall 212 RPR 101h OR - A very exciting novice for this season. The owner started off with a share in one horse here but has luckily branched out and bought a lot more. Caroline and I both had our eye on this one after our French agent Hubert Barbe pointed him out some while back. He was trained by Laurent Viel, who has a reputation for bringing horses along slowly and was also the trainer of Pont Alexandre. Dell’ Arca was later promoted to first place after finishing second in a hurdle at Compiegne in May, but it was his most recent run, at Auteuil in June, that got us excited. The ground and weather were atrocious after it rained all day, and I thought he might have struggled a bit in those conditions, but he ran Vukovar, one of the top bumper horses over there, to two lengths – the first three were a distance clear of the rest – and ended up the top lot at the following month’s Arqana sale; at €288,000 he fell just within the budget. He got very wound up at the sales and had worn ear plugs in his races in France, but although he arrived here looking lean and light he looks a different animal now and has been very straightforward in his work. He may be ready for the Paddy Power meeting and it goes almost without saying I’m really looking forward to his first run.

Decoy 7g Della Francesca - Vagualame Stef Stefanou 17-P4302 RPR 133h, OR 127h Doesn’t win very often; it doesn’t help that his rating rarely budges from around the mid-120s. Ran better at Hexham this month on his latest start; Conor [O’Farrell] kidded him into the race and if the horse had tried a bit harder he might have won. We might try him over fences.

Doctor Harper 5g Presenting - Supreme Dreamer Exors of late David Johnson 110- RPR 115b Showed decent form in his two bumper wins and wasn’t disgraced in the big one at the festival; he wasn’t at his best going into that race but we thought we had nothing to lose letting him take his chance. We’ll start him off at 2m over hurdles as he can be a bit keen, but he isn’t respecting his obstacles at present so we’ve a bit more schooling to do first. That apart, he’s nearly ready to go. Being by Presenting you’d think he will appreciate decent ground

Dynaste You could call him our flag bearer for this season but I hope he turns out better than last seasons flag bearer, Grands Crus. He had a great novice season; his owner John White reckons the Feltham win was his most impressive; I thought he was best at Cheltenham first time out. When he lost his unbeaten record at the festival a lot was said about whether we opted for the right race in going for the Jewson over the RSA, but I don’t think he would have won either race as he wasn’t quite at his best. At least he ended with a win at Aintree and that corrected a few misconceptions. He has the profile of a horse who is better in the first half of the season than in the second half, yet there he was winning a Grade 2 in April. Also, he’s been labelled as a horse who needs soft ground, probably due to his high knee action, yet there he was winning on good ground. He summered better than he usually does – like a lot of horses with the fine weather we had – and he’s well forward, like a bouncing ball waiting to explode, though not in any dangerous way. But I’m well aware he now has to up his game to compete with the big boys. Provided it’s on the soft side we plan to go to Wetherby on November 2 and start him in the Grade 2 3m hurdle, although the Charlie Hall will also be considered. That will serve as a prep for the Betfair Chase, one of his two big first-half targets along with the King George. Just to keep all options covered, he’ll also get an entry in the Paddy Power Gold Cup. If he’s going to win a Grade 1 in his second season it could be at Kempton on Boxing Day; the trip, likely ground and the time of year all make it the perfect target. We’re not looking any further forward than that at this stage. Unable to copy and paste next page

Grands Cru's - likely to start in Charlie hall or long dist hurdle race.

Goulanes -hopeful for the Grand national Legacy Gold 5m Gold Well –

Durgams Delight Roger Brookhouse 111- RPR 124b An exciting addition to the string. She was bought at the Cheltenham Brightwells sale in April after finishing her season unbeaten in bumpers when trained in Northern Ireland by Stuart Crawford. She stamped her class on the Listed mares’ race at Aintree and it’s lovely to have a mare of her potential. The opportunities for fillies and mares are so much better nowadays it shouldn’t be difficult to place her in her first season over hurdles.

Makadamia 4f Kahyasi - Makounji Robert Waley-Cohen Unraced RPR - OR - Bred by her owner, out of his smart racemare who has done well at stud, producing Roulez Cool and Way Back When. Was in training last season but never made it to the track. The plan is to go to Warwick for a mares’ bumper on November 6.

[Sefton]

Mamlook 9g Key Of Luck - Cradle Brief P Deal & G Lowe 013146/ RPR 148h OR 143h Hasn’t been out for more than two years but is in good form, showing all his old enthusiasm at home. The plan was to go for the Cesarewitch, in which he finished second back in 2009, and he’d gone nicely in a racecourse gallop at Kempton the other day, but he picked up an infection and had to miss the race. He’ll probably have a run on the Flat and then go hurdling and we’ll see what level of ability he retains. He had been chasing but is better over hurdles.

Master Overseer 10g Old Vic - Crogeen Lass Brocade Racing P1/P1P1P- RPR 146c, OR 146c Such a kind horse that I could put my two young children, Jack and Sophie, in his box at night and they’d be fine the next morning. On the track all he does is gallop and stay and he’s put together an unusual set of form figures; if the sequence is maintained he’ll win first time out. He’s 6-13 over fences but resumes off a career-high mark. I need to get him dropped a pound and he’ll be eligible for veterans’ chases again – he won one at Wincanton last season off 142. He’d be an ideal sort for the Becher Chase, although when his owners read this they’ll probably have a heart attack!

Minella Scamp 4g King’s Theatre - Forgotten Star Malcolm Denmark 1-6 RPR 98b Went well for a long way in a Chepstow bumper two Saturdays ago, but was too keen and ran with the choke out. He’ll have a quietish season; we’ll look for another bumper where the aim will be to get him to settle better.

Moncarno 3g Lucarno - Sparkling Jewel David and Elaine Long Unraced RPR - OR - The early signs are good, although he’s still some way off a run. He’s a Doncaster sale purchase, so the restricted bumper for horses purchased at that sale would be an obvious target. Should be out around December.

Most Eligible 6g Pursuit Of Love - Danzig’s Heiress Skeltools Ltd 124 RPR 114b Was good on his bumper debut, ran well next time but disappointed on his hurdling debut. He came back from a break last week and will resume in the new year. His Worcester win came on good ground, but he won’t mind it softer

My brother Sylvest - unable to c&p No Secrets 9g King’s Theatre - Happy Native Malcolm Denmark 03P/011P- RPR 134c, OR 129c He’s lightly raced, partly because it’s hard to keep condition on him. We did a lot of work on his jumping last season and he spends time in the loose school to get his confidence up. There’s nothing flashy about him but he got the job done twice in handicap chases. He was run off his feet in the Kim Muir last time, so we’ll bring him back down in grade. After just five runs over fences he could progress. Despite his wins having come on soft or heavy, he might appreciate better ground.

Notus De La Tour 7g Kutub - Ridiyla D Bradshaw, J Dale, P Deal, J Smee, W Walsh 1323F/P- RPR 150c, OR 144c Racing is such a leveller and dear old Notus – I know he’s only seven but he seems to have been around for years – hasn’t had any luck at all on his last two starts. He sustained a fracture above the eye when falling at the festival the season before last, then we got him back to Cheltenham in December for the big Grade 3 handicap chase over 2m5f when he made two terrible mistakes and injured himself. It took him a long time to recover but he’s back in good order now, so I hope he’ll give his connections some better times this winter. May start back over hurdles, then we’ll resume over fences once he gets his beloved soft ground.

Obistar 3g Astarabad - Vallee Du Luy Brocade Racing Unraced RPR - OR - Big gelding, bought at the Doncaster sales. The aim is to go for a bumper in the new year, but he’s backward at present and it’s taking time for the penny to drop. Off The Wall 6g Presenting - Ginger Bar Malcolm Denmark 333/834- RPR 112, OR 112 Strapping type, your typical 3m chaser on looks. Hasn’t so far progressed over hurdles but looking back we may have been riding him wrong, making the running when perhaps we should be taking our time with him. We’ll change tactics now he goes over fences and see if that brings about some improvement.

Our Father 7g Shantou - Rosepan The Ives & Johnson families 10P/124- RPR 154c, OR 147c Someone said to me the other day he’s in the betting for the Paddy Power Gold Cup and I told them he’s not even back with me yet. He’s still doing his pre-training with Timmy Murphy, so I hope he returns to Pond House shortly. Everyone must know he is best fresh – he’s won first time out in each of his three seasons to race – but then he seems to lose his form completely afterwards. That’s what makes his rating ridiculous; I know he does it first time but his overall profile is not that of a horse rated 147. There are twin aims with him: to extend that first-time-out sequence, over 3m-plus when the mud is flying; then second, to get him to hold on to his form a bit longer. Deserves an entry in races such as the Hennessy and Becher Chase.

Pleasant company- unable to c&p Red Sherlock This half brother to Swing Bowler did nothing wrong and is now an exciting prospect for novice hurdles. He was visually very impressive on his debut at Towcester, where it’s rare to see one finish on the bridle up the hill like he did. Despite the apparent ease of his victory, first day at school is bound to take something out of a horse, mentally and physically, so Ascot next time came up plenty quick enough, but we wanted to see if he was up to going for the festival bumper. He put up another good performance, despite winning only narrowly from The Skyfarmer, who boosted the form the other day, but it told us that Cheltenham last season was one year too soon. He’s not back yet, but Timmy Murphy reports he jumps well, so I hope he’s one of our leading hopes among the novices. I like to keep them low key to start with, although even then you bump into other good ones, before gradually stepping up in grade

Poole Master 8g Fleetwood - Juste Belle G Thompson 223F0-4 RPR 140c, OR 132c It hasn’t really happened for him yet over fences, although in fairness he was getting beat by some useful types. Was in the grip of the handicapper but has dropped a few pounds, and his latest run at Haydock was more encouraging. Capable of picking up a handicap at some point when the mud is flying.

Prideofthecastle 6g Waky Nao - Park’s Pet B Drew P1-1 RPR 111b Was bought at Cheltenham’s Brightwells sale in January after comfortably landing a Limerick bumper in very heavy ground the previous month. I wanted to give him one run before he was turned out but we were fast running out of time and when we took him to Stratford I warned the owner the track was too tight and the ground getting too quick. So all things considered he did well to get home in front, and the runner-up won next time. There’s nothing flashy about him, but when racing on a galloping track with cut in the ground, he should win his novice hurdles from 2m to 2m4f.

Problema Tic 7g Kapgarde - Atreide Jo Tracey F-05100 RPR 145c, OR 138c Something of an in-and-out performer who needs things to go his own way. Had dropped 12lb in the ratings before winning at Perth in June, then went back up 8lb to 140 and was well beaten both starts since. Has had a holiday and will be back to contest 3m handicaps when the ground is not too soft.

Punjabi 10g Komaite - Competa Raymond Tooth 90/600P- RPR 165h, OR 130 The former champion hurdler has been sent here to see if a change of scenery can freshen him up. It’s a long time since he showed his form, so it’s a big ask. He’s way off a run.

[Sefton]

Qalinas 6g Malinas - Tabletiere Middleham Park Racing XX and Martin Pipe 351128- OR 112h, OR 114h A step up in trip brought about improvement in handicap hurdles last season. He’s a decent jumper of hurdles so I hope he’ll prove equally proficient now he goes over fences. Can’t have the ground soft enough, so somewhere like Ffos Las in mid-winter would be ideal. Michael Heard, one of our amateurs, gets on particularly well with him.

Ronaldo Des Mottes 8g Rifapour - Gemma K & D Ives F6/4P03- RPR 152h, OR 140h Hasn’t won for ages and not as good as he was, but his Plumpton third to Court Minstrel was a decent effort, even more so after the winner boosted the form by winning the Scottish Champion Hurdle. Could go chasing, but whichever code it is I’m aiming to get him back in the winner’s enclosure.

Salut Flo 8g Saint Des Saints - Royale Marie Allan Stennett 8112/01/ RPR 151c, OR 148c From the comfort of the sofa here I’m able to follow his every move in his box from my laptop, thanks to a new bit of kit showing all the security cameras round the yard. It’s all a bit like Big Brother. I need to keep a close eye on him after all his problems. They started in the spring of 2012 when he was working at Punchestown and cut himself so deep he took a large chunk out of his hoof. That summer he got colic so badly he needed surgery, and colic-like symptoms persisted afterwards. But he picked up, has been back here six weeks and the signs are really good as he’s showing all his old zest. The engine and the ability is still there. It’s amazing really, but then he’s always been a tough customer. We’re thinking in terms of the Paddy Power Gold Cup and will take him for a racecourse gallop beforehand. When he won the 2012 Byrne Group Plate on his last appearance he was off 137; they put him up to 148 but he should be dropped for all the time off. After everything he has been through it will be great to see him back.

Seven Nation Army 4g Rock Of Gibraltar - Crepe Ginger Roger Brookhouse 31- RPR 108b Lovely individual, whose Fontwell bumper win at the backend last April shows he acts well in the mud. He developed and matured over the summer probably as much as anything in the yard, but unfortunately sustained a nasty cut when schooling the other day. That’s going to delay his return for novice hurdling, but I hope he’ll be worth the wait.

Shaking Hands 9g Bach - Picton Lass Brocade Racing 4/0P11P- RPR 130c, OR 128c We need to place him carefully. He must have the mud, and preferably a galloping track, as they help him to organise himself; he’s not the most natural jumper and has his own way of doing things. He’s 4lb off a career-high mark and needs to up his game, but I could have said the same 12 months ago and he went and won at Towcester and Ffos Las.

Shotavodka 7g Alderbrook - Another Vodka Jane Gerard-Pearse 2/81117- RPR 139h, OR 140h Another one for the mud. On the back of three wins over hurdles he went to Aintree on a career-high but the ground was against him and he wasn’t at his best. Whereas he had a troubled preparation last season, this time it’s gone great so far and when the rains come he’ll be ready. He’ll start over hurdles but may go chasing; although not the biggest he’s a quick jumper with a very determined attitude, so should cope with fences. A stiff 2m might suit best for the time being

Sirvon unable to c&p Smiles For Miles 5g Oscar - Native Kin Prof Caroline Tisdall F/2- (pointing form) RPR - Quite athletic and one I liked at the sales. He’d looked like winning on his debut in an Irish point when falling two out, then failed by half a length to make amends six days later. Pleasing me in his work and should do well in bumpers.

Standing Ovation 6g Presenting - Glittering Star Exors of the late David Johnson P-54F1 RPR 104c, OR 101c He was put up 9lb for winning by a neck at Exeter, which looked harsh, so we didn’t have much option but to run him under a penalty at Wincanton, where he jumped so much better. At Exeter he seemed to be remembering a fall the time before and for a long way refused to pick up the bit. But fair play to Conor [O’Farell], who kept at him. Before those two wins he had been disappointing over fences and as DJ [David Johnson, late owner] used to say, he was in the short-term car park. But he’s a good work horse and I’m glad we gave him another go. He’ll face another ratings hike but he looks progressive and we might try to get him out again quickly before the ground softens.

Swing Bill 12g Grey Risk - Melodie Royale Halewood International P14406- RPR 149c, OR 140c He has a new owner in Judy Halewood, chairman of Halewood International that owns Crabbies, the new National sponsor. It’s great to have her on board; she was looking for a National runner and she has found the ideal candidate. He finished sixth in it last spring and has completed over the National fences four times in four attempts. He’s getting on in years but is still lightly raced and is showing all his usual enthusiasm, wasting no time in getting to the top of our gallop. He’ll be entered for the Becher Chase and we’ll obviously have a look at the amateur handicap at the Paddy Power meeting, in which his form figures read 211.

Swing Bowler 6m Galileo - Lady Cricket Exors of late David Johnson 111/130- RPR 139h, OR 136h She put up her one and only disappointing performance in the mares’ race at the festival over 2m4f. Perhaps we went for the wrong race at Cheltenham and should have gone for the County as a true-run 2m might suit her best. She’s a very strong-travelling mare, sometimes not finding quite as much off the bridle as you’d expect. On the evidence of her fine third in the Betfair Hurdle she could win a big handicap hurdle; we’ll also try chasing, and although not over-big she should cope with fences, at which her mother excelled. Possessing a pedigree to die for, she’ll make a smashing broodmare when the time comes.

The Darling Boy 8g Medicean - Silver Top Hat Doone Hulse 13/1232- RPR 120c, OR 112c Old-fashioned chasing type who arrived just last week. He’s back from a leg injury I believe but has some form in the book and we hope to get him back to winning ways The Liquidator One our two grade one winners last season and what I loved about him was how he improved from race to race. He put up a brilliant effort in the big festival bumper, staying on all the way up the hill, then topped that with victory at Punchestown. He’s developing physically all the time which is important as hes light framed and not over-big. Despite having a nice cruising speed he’s no more than workmanlike at home, but it’s not the quick flashy ones at Pond House who turn out to be the good ones. I haven’t discussed it with Roger but we’ll probably start off over 2m, very shortly, and I’m not afraid to go low key as a hard-held win can do wonders for a novice’s confidence. Of course I hope he’ll end up back at Cheltenham in March, but whether it’ll be over 2m or 2m5f I don’t know yet; we’ll feel our way and he’ll tell us. He looks great, is schooling away nicely and seems economical over his hurdles

The Package 10g Kayf Tara - Ardent Bride 54/14PP- RPR 148c, OR 144c Picked up a small injury during his pre-training with Timmy Murphy, so we won’t see him back until the new year. May end up going straight to the festival, like he did two years ago, and will probably be entered for the National

The Wealer Dealer- unable to c&pThomas Junior 4g Dylan Thomas - Smiling Walters Plant Hire Ltd 2- RPR 102b Big and backward, very green on his Ffos Las bumper debut in March when he got to the front too soon and half pulled himself up. It was a decent effort considering he hadn’t turned four at that point. He’s a slow learner, a bit more switched on now, which should enable him to win a bumper.

Top Gamble 5g Presenting - Zeferina Walters Plant Hire and Jean Potter 211- RPR 124h, OR - Has done nothing but progress and I have high hopes for him. He’s big, at 17hh, and when our vet first saw him he said he’d be okay in 2017, so he’s achieved an awful lot already. Hacked up in his bumper and went back to Ffos Las to make a winning hurdling debut, easily beating a horse who has since become a decent performer. Is a lot more mature this season, and while his jumping was adequate as a novice he was a lot more agile when Conor schooled him the other morning. Could reappear in the 2m5f handicap hurdle at the Paddy Power meeting and looks sure to improve further. Despite being a Presenting he has a high knee action and seems suited by cut in the ground.

Too Generous 5m Generous - Little Feat A Frost 11511- RPR 122h, OR 122h What she lacks in size she makes up for in guts and determination. Has her own way of jumping and was pretty clueless to start with, but it’s hard to crab a record of four from five. Loves the soft and is capable of being competitive off 122.

[Sefton]

Top Wood 6g Kotky Bleu - Heure Bleu Lady Clarke 51/0322- RPR 130h, OR 130h I still can’t believe he failed to win last season – it was annoying he kept on going up in the ratings for getting beaten. Always shows plenty at home and I predict there’s more to come now he goes chasing.

Tullyesker Hill 4g Shantou - Couture Daisy Bryan Drew P-1 RPR - Lucky winner of an Irish point-to-point after being left in front when one fell at the last. I need to do more work with him before planning a campaign but he seems a tough individual who will appreciate a trip.

Vazaro Delafayette 4g Robin Des Champs - Etoile Du Merze Bryan Drew 1-3 RPR - OR - By a sire everyone loves, responsible for Sir Des Champs and Quevega among others. Didn’t come cheap for an English point-to-pointer but he won his only start at Larkhill very impressively. A smashing individual, he was green when running a race full of promise in a hot bumper at Cheltenham on Saturday, despite having a rough passage. He was wound up beforehand so I need to see how he comes out of it before making plans.

Vieux Lion Rouge 4g Sabiango - Indecise Prof Caroline Tisdall and John Gent 1110- RPR 127b A simply gorgeous individual, he’s a youngster with a big future. I doubt there’s many horses who win three bumpers without seeing another rival, like he did. And that was despite the trainer doing his best to get him beat by running him over 1m4f first time. I never thought the festival bumper was an ideal target, but with his profile we had little option but to give it a go. And although he was down the field the experience will have done him no harm. He’s come back looking a different horse after a summer break and, having schooled nicely, is ready to go as soon as we get a drop of rain. I’m open-minded about his trip – anything from 2m to 2m4f – but he’s very much a horse I hope to be taking back to Cheltenham in March.

Vif Argent 4g Dom Alco - Formosa Stef Stefanou 12-1320 RPR 123c, OR 130c For a four-year-old he already has masses of experience in France, showing a good level of form to win four for Guillaume Macaire – a bumper, two hurdles and a chase at Angers in February. We bought him after he finished second in a chase at Auteuil in June. He didn’t stay an extended 3m at Cheltenham on Saturday and we’ll bring him back to 2m4f next time.

Volt Face 4g Kapgarde - Jourenuit Roger Brookhouse 1- RPR 100b Comes from the family of Gloria Victis. It was a weak bumper in which he made his debut at Towcester but he couldn’t have won any more easily. Not back yet, but as he was bought at Doncaster the restricted valuable sales bumper would be an obvious target next spring.

Western Diva 4f Westerner - Duck ‘N’ Dive Roger Brookhouse 2 RPR 91b She was bought after finishing second in a Towcester bumper and will hopefully turn out good value. Hasn’t been here long so I’m still assessing her.

Western Warhorse 5g Westerner - An Banog Roger Brookhouse 1F1- RPR 119h Big brute of a horse and a bit of a character, very much your 3m soft-ground chaser of the future. He won a maiden point in Ireland in November, changed hands at the sales and was keen before winning a novice hurdle at Chepstow. As he’s still a novice to the end of October I’d like to get him out soon but we are running out of time.

Wetak 6g Antarctique - Rhapsodie Terry Neill 525-246 RPR 136c, OR 126c An interesting recruit. He was trained last season in France by Francois Cottin when running a good second to Shooters Wood in a 2m handicap chase at Cheltenham in November. It was handy the handicapper left his rating untouched. He has since run four times in France, beaten a neck in a £25,000 chase and a close fourth in the Group 2 Prix des Drags at Auteuil. Unfortunately he picked up a small injury on his final start that required surgery to take a chip out, but he’s fine now and just started back in training. Should be out in the new year and hopefully we'll have some fun with him.

[Yeehaa]

From www.davidpipe.com
Relief, delight and huge excitement are just a few of the emotions I have experienced over the weekend! Although I did not have quite as many runners numerically as in recent weekends, two of my best young horses ran and maintained there winning records. Kings Palace put together a very taking performance to win a competitive novice hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday. I have always thought a lot of our five year old and having won at Fontwell and then nicely at Cheltenham in October, with the form of both races being boosted there was pressure for him to enhance his reputation, and boy did he deliver! Under a great ride from Tom Scu his jumping was exemplary and he galloped on relentlessly to score in style. His odds have now shortened for the Albert Bartlett novice hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and this will indeed be his target come March although he will have an entry in Neptune as well. He seems to have come out of the race fine and he may have one more run before Cheltenham although I would not be afraid if he did not run again before then either.

On a slightly lower key but still just as important and every bit as pleasing, I was highly delighted with Red Sherlock's hurdling debut at Southwell on Sunday. With Tom Scu standing in for injured Timmy Murphy he looked a natural over hurdles, travelled well and won on the bridle. Although it is hard to say what he may have beaten, you can only beat what is in front of you and it was a great starting point for our four year old. This extended his unbeaten career record to four from four and with some top bumper form already in the book he is very exciting. Homebred by the late David Johnson out of former useful Pond House inmate Lady Cricket he has huge potential. This was a step up in trip for his hurdle debut and his long term aim could be the Neptune novice hurdle at the Festival and he may have an entry in the Challow hurdle at Newbury before then.


Our third winner or the week since writing my last blog was actually the first. It came courtesy of another of my potential high class novice hurdle prospects, Legacy Gold. She won nicely on her hurdling debut at Uttoxeter. The runner up is a decent mare and I’m sure the form of the race will work out well. She has high class bumper form to her name and she has a natural aptitude for jumping plus the willing attitude to ensure she rates amongst the best of my top novice hurdlers. Her win was over two miles but she will get further and so there are lots of options available to her including some nice mare’s races along the way.


Reflecting on my other runners throughout the week there have been some highs and some slight disappointments as you experience most weeks when involved in our sport! Salut Flo was a little ring rusty in the big chase on Saturday. He ran well to a point but made a few mistakes along the way which ultimately cost him and Tom sensibly looked after him once his chance was gone. The best news is that he has come out of the race well and he showed enough to suggest we can have some other big days with him later this season. On Friday, there was a pleasing stable debut from The Darling Boy at Bangor. He was coming back from an injury layoff and under a good front running ride from Kieron Edgar he showed a lovely willing attitude to fight back once headed and only lost out in a photo finish. He seems fine after the run and looks like he will give his owners much fun whether it is over hurdles or fences in the coming months.

[Old Vic]

Red Sherlock

Pipe said: "He's come out of the race at Wetherby fine and we'll be stepping him up in grade on his next start.

"He could go to Cheltenham at the end of the month."

[mayo]

Red Sherlock is clearly one of the brightest young stars in the yard,” he said. “He will get better as he acquires further experience and could go to Cheltenham for Trials day at the end of the month.

[Sprinter]

The Liquidator now has a mark to get into his dads race. Last run too bad to be true or a plot ?

[Sefton]

Dell' Arca and Swing Bowler booked their places in David Pipe's team for Cheltenham with excellent efforts in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday.

Dell' Arca finished well to take second spot in one of the toughest handicaps in the calendar, with Swing Bowler staying on to finish fifth on her first start for 11 months.

The Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle or one of the handicaps at the Festival beckon for Dell' Arca, while Swing Bowler could take on Quevega in the OLBG Mares' Hurdle or run in the County Hurdle.

"Dell' Arca proved himself a tip-top performer here, failing by only one and three-quarter lengths to concede 9lb to the winner Splash Of Ginge despite taking a knock three from home," the Nicholashayne handler told www.davidpipe.com.

"He has an entry in the Supreme Novices' hurdle at next month's Festival although he will also receive entries in all the handicaps around this sort of trip.

"Swing Bowler was making a belated seasonal debut in the big race and ran a cracker considering she had not run since last season's Cheltenham Festival. She was another to be involved in the jostling three out, but she stayed on in pleasing fashion under Conor O'Farrell, failing only narrowly to grab fourth close home.

"She had suffered a few minor niggles which had held her up, but this was a very good effort and she will probably now go for the mares' race or the County Hurdle at Cheltenham. She didn't appear to get home last year, but she is stronger this time around and the manner in which she finished at Newbury would suggest that she should get the trip this time around."

Pipe has added Edmund Kean to his Festival squad after his triumph at Ludlow.

"While it was only a three runner contest, I was very pleased by the success of Edmund Kean in the three-mile novices' chase at Ludlow on Wednesday," he said.

"According to official figures he had to improve to concede weight to the useful The Romford Pele and he did just that. Jumping well in the main (if a little left), he was more fluent than his nearest rival and did enough to hold on having appeared to put the race to bed early in the straight.

"His sound jumping will continue to stand him in good stead over fences and he could still go to the Cheltenham Festival where at present he has entries in the RSA Chase and amateur riders' National Hunt Chase over four miles."

[Lester]

"I thought Rathvinden would take a lot of beating, but Red Sherlock put up a good performance," added Pipe, who was talking on The Morning Line.

"We were getting 3lb, from Rathvinden, but it was still a good performance and I think we won with a bit in hand.

"Kings Palace had three quick races [before Christmas] so we decided to give him a break. He went for a gallop at Exeter the other week and went nicely - he's in good form."

Pipe, who said just one winner at Cheltenham would be "fantastic", thinks Dynaste has a great chance in the Ryanair Chase and confirmed Gevrey Chambertin on course for the RSA Chase.

[Old Vic]

We've now been joined by @davidpiperacing for his live Q&A. Get involved by tweeting us your questions using #RPQA & follow on our timeline

@RacingPost @DavidPipeRacing #RPQA Buddy Bolero seems to be the forgotten horse after his 4th last year, what race are you leaning towards?
I'm not sure if he will definitely go there. If he did it would be for the Pertemps or Kim Muir. Still rated fairly high & would need soft

@RacingPost @DavidPipeRacing When will Dan Breen be running next? Looks a well handicapped horse to me. #RPQA
Hope you’re right! He will be out in a month or so when there's better ground as he's been running on soft which is not ideal for him #RPQA

@RacingPost @DavidPipeRacing Red Sherlock looked well on Saturday,how as he been since last run? #RPQA
He’s in good form. Not a very good work horse at home but we know him and he's pleasing us. All set for the Neptune at #CheltFest #RPQA

@RacingPost @DavidPipeRacing what's your favourite racecourse and why? #RPQA
There are loads of great courses but my favourite has to be Cheltenham. It's the ultimate place to win & everyone wants to win there #RPQA

@RacingPost @DavidPipeRacing #RPQA is balgarry still in training with you david?
Yes he is. Unfortunately he suffered a bit of a freak injury to his jaw but he should be back for a full season next season #RPQA

@RacingPost #RPQA What race at the festival are you leaning towards with Vieux Lion Rouge?
He wont go for the Neptune & it will be one of the handicaps. He'll be left in all at the 5 day stage. It's best to leave it late as..... you often see horses fall by the wayside and the complexion of the race can change completely #RPQA